The Syrian Coalition called on the United Nations to push for direct negotiations between the opposition and the Assad regime in the talks to be held in Geneva in the period between 16-19 May.

Member of the Coalition’s political committee Hadi Bahra on Saturday stressed the need for “clear negotiating course” involving direct negotiations between the delegations of the Assad regime and the opposition.

The Assad regime is seeking to gain time as it is still avoiding engaging seriously in negotiations, Bahra told Al-Arabiya TV channel.

President of the Syrian Coalition Riad Seif reaffirmed the Coalition’s support for the opposition’s High Negotiations Committee and its delegation to Geneva talks during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday.

Secretary-General of the Syrian Coalition Nazir Alhakim said that the Coalition and its presidential body entertain hope in the upcoming round of negotiations in Geneva during a meeting with the Spanish Undersecretary in the Spanish Embassy in Turkey Jose Luis Santos on Friday.

Alhakim stressed the need for a greater role by Turkey, the Arab countries, the United States, and the European Union in the political process in Syria. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)